Latest news with #LebaneseForces
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Electoral amendments: The battle for expatriate voting rights in Lebanon
Report by Maroun Nassif, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi On May 9, 2025, MPs of the Lebanese Forces Party, Change and Opposition blocs, and the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) submitted an urgent draft law to amend the electoral law. The proposal sought to abolish the six seats reserved for expatriates, instead allowing them to vote in their place of registration, meaning each voter would cast a ballot for the seats allocated to their district. On June 23, a month and a half later, the Parliament's bureau convened to prepare the agenda for a legislative session scheduled for June 30. LBCI learned from parliamentary sources that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri refused to include the aforementioned draft law on the session's agenda during the meeting, despite persuasion attempts by MPs Hadi Aboul Hosn and Alain Aoun. Berri insisted on referring it to the sub-committee studying electoral law amendments, justifying his decision by stating, "Just as I referred the draft law submitted by MP Samy Gemayel, which did not have urgency status, to the sub-committee, I am referring this proposal as well." Berri's decision sparked outrage among the proponents of the proposal, as they were already aware that the Amal-Hezbollah duo completely rejects the principle of expatriate voting, and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) also opposes abolishing the six seats reserved for expatriates. Given this precise alignment, a crucial question arises: If Speaker Berri maintains his stance and the draft law remains stalled in committees, will MPs from the Lebanese Forces, the Change bloc, the Socialist Party, Armenians, and their allies resort to obstructing Parliament and preventing its sessions from convening by breaking the quorum? For the Lebanese Forces, this option is on the table. However, for others, specifically the PSP MPs, disrupting the Parliament's quorum is not an option, as MP Bilal Abdallah told LBCI. He stated that historically, even in the most challenging circumstances, they have never disrupted the Parliament or any other constitutional institution. Similarly, Armenian MPs who signed the draft law also reject disrupting Parliament. Practically, the 68 MPs who support the draft law to abolish the six seats will not remain 68, or even 65, if the option of disrupting Parliament is tabled. Therefore, if they are faced with a choice between two options —either proceeding with the six seats as MP Gebran Bassil desires or completely abolishing expatriate voting as preferred by the duo —the answer is no answer until this moment.
Nahar Net
4 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Geagea meets Aoun, says they totally agree on domestic issues
by Naharnet Newsdesk 24 June 2025, 14:23 President Joseph Aoun and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea met Tuesday in Baabda and discussed the latest developments in the region and in Lebanon. "I think that we'll reach a serious U.S.-Iranian understanding that is compatible with our vision and with Lebanon's higher interests," Geagea said after the meeting, as he urged for setting a timeframe for Hezbollah's disarmament. Geagea said that there has always been coordination between him and Aoun and that the President "has the intention to establish a real state." He added that "significant progress has been made in this direction." "Communication with President Aoun has never stopped whether before or after his election. We have discussed the recent developments, especially the decisions that should be taken domestically, and we totally agreed with each other," Geagea revealed. In previous statements, Geagea seemed to softly criticize Aoun for his flexibility with Hezbollah, urging him to be more strict.
LBCI
20-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Samir Geagea to Hezbollah's Naim Qassem: Only the government can decide on war and peace
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea responded to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem's latest remarks, saying: 'Sheikh Naim, you don't get to act on your own. Only the Lebanese government has the authority to make such decisions, as it represents the majority of the Lebanese people.'' He added, ''Lebanon is a sovereign state, particularly under its new presidency. It's unacceptable for anyone to take matters into their own hands. That would turn the country into a lawless arena with no governing authority or legal framework.'' Geagea emphasized, ''If you have suggestions about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, bring them to your party's representatives in the Cabinet. That's where such proposals should be discussed—and where decisions should be made.'
Nahar Net
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Geagea tells Hezbollah's Qassem only state 'can act as it sees fit'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 4 hours Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Friday that only the Lebanese state "can act as it sees fit" after Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said that the militant group would "act as we see fit" in response to the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. "Sheikh Naim, you cannot act as you see fit. Only the Lebanese government can do that because it represents the majority of the Lebanese people," Geagea said, adding that it is "absolutely unacceptable" for anyone to allow themselves to act as they like. "Lebanon is a country and a state," Geagea said. "This is absolutely unacceptable, otherwise Lebanon will turn into a chaotic place with no rules or laws." Qassem had said that the militant group would "act as we see fit" in response to the ongoing war between its main backer Iran and Israel. In a statement, Qassem said Hezbollah was "not neutral" in the conflict between the two regional superpowers, saying that the group would "act as we see fit in the face of this brutal Israeli-American aggression". This comes after the U.S. special envoy for Syria warned Hezbollah against getting involved in the war. Geagea urged Qassem to propose his ideas through Hezbollah's ministers in the government. "Only there, such matters can be discussed," he said.
Nahar Net
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Geagea tells Hezbollah's Qassem only state 'can act as it sees fit'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 June 2025, 13:32 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Friday that only the Lebanese state "can act as it sees fit" after Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said that the militant group would "act as we see fit" in response to the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. "Sheikh Naim, you cannot act as you see fit. Only the Lebanese government can do that because it represents the majority of the Lebanese people," Geagea said, adding that it is "absolutely unacceptable" for anyone to allow themselves to act as they like. "Lebanon is a country and a state," Geagea said. "This is absolutely unacceptable, otherwise Lebanon will turn into a chaotic place with no rules or laws." Qassem had said that the militant group would "act as we see fit" in response to the ongoing war between its main backer Iran and Israel. In a statement, Qassem said Hezbollah was "not neutral" in the conflict between the two regional superpowers, saying that the group would "act as we see fit in the face of this brutal Israeli-American aggression". This comes after the U.S. special envoy for Syria warned Hezbollah against getting involved in the war. Geagea urged Qassem to propose his ideas through Hezbollah's ministers in the government. "Only there, such matters can be discussed," he said.
